Outdoor Access Fees: The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission says hikers and other non-hunting/outdoor users age 16+ will need a new $10.50 conservation permit to access AGFC-owned Wildlife Management Areas and lakes starting July 1, a change some locals support for trail upkeep while others worry it could deter people from public lands. Wildlife Health Alert: AGFC is urging Arkansans to report suspected screwworm or parasite cases in wild deer to its Wildlife Health Hotline instead of trying DIY treatments, warning that wildlife medicine can cause more harm than good. Water Quality Enforcement: ADEQ and the City of DeValls Bluff reached a consent order over alleged Clean Water Act permit renewal issues for its wastewater discharge to the White River, with a $1,000 civil penalty. Climate Extremes: A national roundup highlights how record heat is becoming more common across the U.S., with human-caused climate change making extreme heat more likely. Endangered Species Watch: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is studying whether the plains spotted skunk—including sightings in Arkansas—should receive Endangered Species Act protections. Food & Farm Research: The Arkansas Wheat Promotion Board awarded $78,533 for five University of Arkansas research projects aimed at boosting wheat yields and tackling weeds, pests, and production challenges. Regional Pollution Settlement: Oklahoma announced a proposed nearly $44 million settlement tied to poultry waste pollution in the Illinois River watershed that affects waterways flowing between northwest Arkansas and Oklahoma.